Eyelid lifts (blepharoplasties) is a surgical procedure carried out where excess fat, skin and muscle are removed from the upper and lower eyelids.
Recovery Period
Care must be paid for the first 24 hours after the operation not to rub your eyes. The dressing placed on the eyelids and which prevent them from closing are removed by your surgeon after 4-5 days, and the stiches are removed 3-7 days after the operation. Once the stiches are removed, swelling and bruising around the eyelids will gradually disappear and you’ll begin to see and feel better. 2-3 later you’ll be able to read and watch TV. In general, you’ll be able to return to your normal daily life within a week.
Things to Pay Attention to Post-Surgery
- Avoid any activity that tires your eyes for the first 2 days.
- You can shower/bathe 4-5 days after the operation.
- You can drive 5 days after the operation. Eye pomade (ointment) needs to be applied after driving.
- Don’t wear make up for a week after the procedure to lower the risk of infection.
- Wear sunglasses to avoid exposure to direct sunlight.
- You can wear contact lenses 1 week after the operation if you normally do so.
Reasons to Have an Eyelid Lift
Ageing is most noticeable around the eyelids as it is almost impossible to avoid wrinkling due to the amount of movement they do and the thin skin they have to fulfil their natural functions. Droopiness, sagging that begin around the eyelids sooner or later begin to affect them. Eyelids can begin to bag or become larger as people age, because of hereditary reasons in the case of younger people or due to excessively tired eyes. The eyelids can be returned to their normal appearance with the aid of eyelid lifts.
Things to Pay Attention to Pre-Surgery
The patient must have an examination before the procedure so that the method to be used and the procedure’s priorities can be determined. This procedure can be performed on patients with cardiovascular illnesses, diabetes and high eye pressue with their doctor’s permission.
Age Range
Eyelid lifts can be performed on people aged between 35-75. It can also be performed on people who have genetical factors that can lead to problems with their eyelids from the 20’s onwards. It is necessary to operate on children who were born with eyelid defects before they reach the age of 6.
Surgical Method
The upper eyelid is cut along its fold line while the lower eyelid is cut immediately below the eyelashes. Loosness in the upper eyelid’s tissue is removed. Connective and muscle tissues are repaired while excess fat and skin is removed. Once the lower eyelid’s excess fat, muscle and skin is removed, the incisions are stiched together with special stiches in a way which doesn’t leave any visible marking. A light dressing is palced over the stiches.
Type of Anaesthesia and Length of Procedure
Blepharoplasties last between 1-3 hours and are performed under either local or general anaesthetic. If both the upper and lower eyelids are operated on at the same time, first the upper, then the lower eyelids are attended to. The eyelids may feel tight after the anaesthetic wears off; this is very normal and discomfort can be managed with painkillers your doctor recommends. Patients don’t feel any pain or aching during the operation. The patient is discharged the same day.
